Efficient Methods (Radial Arm Saw Tenons)

Hey Blake,

Nice video. I have been making Tenons like that for years. It’s a little faster with a Dado Head though. That is one of the things that a RAS has over a miter Saw (keeping the blade above the table)

Here is where I blogged the method a few years ago. The only real difference is that I cut the mortice first and use it to establish the blade hight. I have since purchased a nice Dado head that I use in place of the rip blade in the blog. That way only a couple of passes are needed.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I also cut the mortise first and used it to establish blade height. The only reason I don’t use a dado is because of the set-up time of switching blades. The trade off is not really worth it for 8 tenons. Also, my 8.5” DeWalt RAS is a little underpowered for a dado blade.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Now that I think about it I think I stole the idea from Norm ;)

Ha!

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Great Video, including that distinctive green flake rebuilt DeBlake RAS. This is a very effective technique but I find unless you use a flat bottom blade the tennons can still be left a little rough, but as you stated you can always clean them up with a good shoulder plane.

-- DocK, WV

Great video, Blake.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

very good info, how do you now cut the short side of the tenons ?

thanks

jaxx

Check out my Opposing Arch Table Blog for the answer to that question.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Good post. I have always thought that the RAS is the most underratted tool in the shop. This is the way Icut my tenons only I use a stacked dado set. I have never cut tenons quite like Blake by sliding the stock sideways into the blade as I would have inherently thought it wasn’t the safest way go to. It takes no time at all to set up the dado since you don’t care about the width of cut since the stop block is what sets the length of the tenon. To answer jaxx’s question, I still use the stacked dado only I use a modified, taller RAS fence and set the stock on it’s side and float the dado set up higher and cut it the same on the side. It workd great. I do sometimes have to use my Lie Nielsen rabbet block plane to smooth and fine tune the tenon to fit the mortise.

The RAS can do way more than cross cut!

great video blake. i love the dimming lights effect when you turn the tool on. hahaha my shop does that to. thats called to many tools and not enough wall plugs. and as for what “hokieman says about never cuting tennons by sliding the stock sideways into the blade… there is nothing unsafe about that. i do the verry same thing on the radial and even the table saw. i normaly use a dado but sometimes do the verry same thing. great video

-- i can do all things through christ who strengthens me

I was wondering when someone would notice the lights!

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Great video Blake!

Calum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Thanks for showing this, I will have to try it. It sounds like a better way to do it.
Thanks.

-- Hope Never fails

Great video tip blake!

-- John, Nor-Cal, shopsmith.net/forums

I don’t see anything wrong with doing tenons this way but I would have to watch it in action to say that it should be done this way “for the sake of efficiency”.

Maybe it takes a lot longer to set up a RAS than I think it does.

Thanks for the video Blake even if I don’t change how I do tenons.

-- Making Sawdust Safely

Actually it takes a lot less time to set up a RAS. All you do is set the height and stop block.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Great video. I agree the RAS is a great way to make tenons. Mine is dedicated to this task exclusively. It has a wicked carbide 3/4” wide cutting head in it that makes short work of tenons, dadoes and half laps.

-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever...